Emma Dunn Movies
Matronly British-born actress Emma Dunn was typed as mothers, grandmothers and housekeepers even during her earliest years in the theater. She was 41 when she played her first starring role on stage in 1916's Old Lady 31. She made her first film in 1919, and her last in 1948, changing very little physically during those three decades. Emma Dunn's best-remembered film assignments included the housekeeper of "pixillated" Gary Cooper in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and the mother of Lew Ayres in several installments of MGM's Dr. Kildare series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1930
Poor but honest district attorney Fredric March, sick of the "one law for rich, one law for poor" imbalance, sentences selfish society girl Claudette Colbert to ten years in prison for vehicular manslaughter. The sentence is reduced to two years due to political pressure; nonetheless, Claudette feels humiliated by March and vows revenge. While incarcerated, the girl learns a few lessons in humility, and by the time she has completed her sentence she has become most popular and kindhearted inmate in the joint. Upon her release, Claudette seeks out March and declares her love for him. Based on a story by Alice Duer Miller, Manslaughter had been previously filmed by Cecil B. DeMille in 1922; the great director used the plotline as an excuse for an extended (and gloriously pointless) flashback to Ancient Rome. This 1930 talkie remake is infinitely more tasteful and restrained than the DeMille version--but not quite as much fun to watch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, (more)
- 1930
With a title like The Texan and a star like Gary Cooper, one might assume that this 1930 actioner is a western -- and one would be wrong! Set in 1885, the film stars Gary Cooper as Enrique, alias Quico, alias the Llano Kid. Whatever the name, he's a bold and daring bandit, and after shooting a young gambler in self-defense he's got a price on his head. Looking for a safe hideout, the Llano Kid agrees to a scheme hatched by a crooked lawyer named Thacker (Oscar Apfel). Our hero agrees to pose as the long-lost son of Mexican aristocrat Senora Ibarra (Emma Dunn), a role for which he is extensively coached by Thacker, who stands to collect a huge reward when he delivers the "son" to the old woman. Upon learning that the real son was the gambler he killed, the Llano Kid calls off the scheme, whereupon Thacker hires a band of thugs to steal Senora Ibarra's fortune. With the help of his long-time adversary, Bible-quoting sheriff John Brown (James Marcus), the Llano Kid foils Thacker's plan and in the bargain wins the hand of Senora Ibarra's lovely niece Consuelo (Fay Wray). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Cooper, Fay Wray, (more)
- 1929
This crime drama chronicles the exploits of three Irish brothers who have taken dramatically different life paths. Tom is an amiable policeman while Matt is a surgeon. The third brother, Owen, is the family black sheep who makes his living running illegal booze. He operates under the alias Barney Muller. His more honest brothers have no idea what Owen does for his money. Things go well for the Muller gang until they commit a murder and the newly promoted Tom is assigned to investigate the case. Meanwhile, Tom's beloved goes to a party at Muller's house in Manhattan. There she overhears some damning information about Muller. She goes back to Tom and Matt with the info and together the three learn the truth about Muller's identity. When Muller learns that a cop is dogging his gang, he orders him killed. He has no idea that it is his own brother. The killers prepare a trap for the unwitting cop, but suddenly Owen shows up and tries to stop it; as a result he is shot and dies in the arms of Tom. Later Tom lies to their parents to save them from unbearable shame. He tells them that Owen has gone away on a very long trip. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1924
Although this sentimental tale of the sea came from an original story by Booth Tarkington and its stars were Thomas Meighan and Lois Wilson, it wasn't one of Paramount's better releases for 1924. The Malones are in charge of most of the industries of the coastal town of Oldport, and Jack (Meighan) is the family pet. Jack is the only one in his clan who looks to the sea for a career and he signs on as second mate on the ship Langland. Both Jack and the first mate, Charles Crosby (Cyril Ring), are in love with Patty Thomas (Lois Wilson) and Crosby is very much put out when Jack is promoted over him. A storm blows up at sea and because Captain Clarke (George Fawcett) is drunk, the ship is lost. Crosby claims that Jack was also inebriated and both he and the captain are fired. The villagers back home are all against Jack, except for the children. Jack is ultimately vindicated and his brothers purchase a ship for him. As he sails off, Patty agrees to wait for him. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lois Wilson, Emma Dunn, (more)
- 1920
Angie (Emma Dunn) has been married to Captain Abe Rose (Henry Harmon) for decades. Now bad investments are forcing them out of their home. Angie must go live in an "old ladies' home," while Abe is relegated to the poor farm. But when the other 29 old ladies see how hard it is for the couple to part, they decide to disguise Abe and have him enter the home as "Old Lady 31." Abe, being the only male, gets the full brunt of the women's ministrations until he has a dream where, as Solomon, he prefers the company of a den of lions to his 1,000 wives. Eventually, some mining stock turns up that is worth a lot of money, and Angie and Abe can return to their old home. This comedy was based on the play by Rachel Crothers, and the two leads appeared in the original stage production. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1914
French filmmaker Maurice Tourneur was already an internationally recognized cinematic artist when, in 1914, he made his American debut with Mother. Produced at the New Jersey-based World Film Company, the film was based on a stage play by Jules Eckert Goodman. Repeating her star-making stage role, Emma Dunn plays the title character, a careworn widow presiding over a huge and troublesome brood. Inasmuch as Dunn is best known to contemporary film buffs for her small supporting roles in such talkies as Mr. Deeds Goes to Town and The Great Dictator, it would no doubt be quite a revelation to see her essaying a full leading role. Featured in the cast of Mother was a 2-reel comedy ingenue named Priscilla Dean, a scant few years before she became the "queen" of the Universal Studios lot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
